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One of my all-time favorite authors, John Eldredge, penned this column and it really spoke to my heart. I used to go for walks in the woods, or long drives along quite country roads, or just sit at a park admiring a waterfall.
For some reason, I gave that up and I miss it. Like so many others, I chose relief over restoration.
From Ransomed Heart Ministries:
“It felt like two kingdoms were vying for my soul. the carnival was offering relief. nature was offering restoration. They are leagues apart, my friends. Leagues apart.
“Relief is momentary; it’s checking out, numbing, sedating yourself. Television is relief. Eating a bag of cookies is relief. Tequila is relief.
“And let’s be honest—relief is what we reach for because it’s immediate and usually within our grasp. Most of us turn there, when what we really need is restoration.
“Nature heals; nature restores. Think of sitting on the beach watching the waves roll in at sunset and compare it to turning on the tube and vegging in front of it.”
Two weeks from today, I’ll be sitting in a room with John himself looking forward to absorbing his advice on how to ransom my soul.
